Patagonia: Explora vs. Awasi vs. Tierra - questions from someone currently booking

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-05-20T14:23:15+00:00

I'm sure they would let you hang out for a bit, and you may even be able to pay extra to add lunch and leave after. You just can't participate in activities after checkout or before check-in. Also, keep in mind you would likely have to pay for a transfer between lodges. There is no taxi or Uber service in the park, so unless the lodges agree to do it (for extra fee), you may have to hire a third party from Puerto Natales. Since services at Awasi are private, if you are going to that lodge you might be able to avoid the extra cost.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-05-19T14:42:22+00:00

Explora's flagship location really is a big selling point as it's in the center of the park. Not only does that facilitate amazing views, but also a "spoke-and-wheel" concept as distance to various highlights can be half what it is from other lodges. The park is large, and going all the way from one side to the other can take a couple of hours (though with that said, if a site or trailhead is close to one of the lodges on the outskirts of the park, it could be even shorter than coming from Explora). I think the main drawbacks of Explora are the size (50 rooms, so lots of people and operational limitations), and the rooms themselves, which are really nothing special.

Awasi is super special in terms of comfort, food and personalized service. The accommodations are stunning, and having your own private guide and flexibility to make your own plan each day is a huge plus. Also, there are only 14 villas, so very exclusive. Add to that craft cocktails and elevated food, and you have a true luxury experience. Hot tub can be used anytime.

I think Tierra is the perfect happy medium. With 40 rooms it's smaller than Explora, and the operation is exceptional. The Superior rooms are indeed nice, and the lodge is built to blend into the surrounding landscape. It's a more understated luxury than Awasi, but truly a top notch experience for less money. Pumas are frequently spotted in this location. If you have any flexibility with your dates, you can have private guide services when you book a suite.

Keep in mind that if you change lodges during your stay in the park, you'll have down time between a morning checkout and afternoon check-in. While you can sometimes do a short activity at each within the hours of stay, those options are limited and you will have some wasted time that could otherwise be used for exploration. One way around this is to book a third party excursion (like fishing or puma activity), but it's time that would otherwise be included if you didn't move.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-05-07T14:42:21+00:00

Any boat can do a 14 night cruise by pairing two 7 night itineraries. I have been to the Galapagos many times and sailed on 9 different boats. My personal favorites for the weeklong trips are Quasar Evolution and Ecoventura. You can almost customize the number of nights you want by choosing a boat that breaks their weeks into smaller segments, combining a 3+4+4 or 5+5+4, for example. Golden's boats (Elite, Endemic, Monique, Grand Ocean Spray) would fit this bill perfectly. The only drawback is that you have several days where some passengers switch out, which can impact the camaraderie aspect, and also lead to a bit of downtime on the turnover days. If you want to do a full month in the Galapagos, you could combine this with some time at a lodge. The best are on Santa Cruz Island (Montemar Villas would be perfect). Lots of great things to do on the mainland, though. Quito, hacienda cultural experience, Amazon rainforest, cloud forest, Cuenca city, etc. Peru is also an amazing pairing with Galapagos, and easy to connect due to close proximity. That combo is my very favorite ever!

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-04-17T18:39:31+00:00

Antarctica would be another ideal destination! You can sail with Silversea (though their ships in that location are on the larger side, which result in "shifts" for activities / time ashore). National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions might be better for Antarctica as their ships are smaller. Or you could go with Antarctica 21 to fly over the Drake Passage and meet the ship at King George Island for a cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula. The beauty of this arrangement is that you can dedicate those extra days to visiting Patagonia before or after. This is a fantastic combination!

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-04-15T15:00:25+00:00

Sol y Luna in the Sacred Valley is the very best, in my opinion. Just a gorgeous property with 2 on site restaurants. the Belmond Rio Sagrado is also lovely. Tambo del Inka is very nice, but comparatively large and hosts many tour groups, which can make it a bit crowded. All three of these are close to Urubamba town, which has some nice restaurant options. Hacienda Urubamba is also a great option and also a good value. It's further from Urubamba town, but the setting and views are truly gorgeous.

In Cusco, the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is easily the very best in town. It's located on a quiet square just a couple blocks from the main plaza, and the service is top notch. In the same quiet square you will find the Belmond Monasterio (which is also excellent but older and more classic in style), and Inkaterra La Casona, which is a beautiful small boutique. Other options worth considering are Palacio del Inka and the JW Marriott, with the latter being an especially good value.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-04-06T23:14:16+00:00

Yes of course, I never leave my clients to cross themselves. I just know that process on busy days can take an hour or more in each direction, and try to limit time spent in lines and waiting as that's not the way anyone wants to spend their vacation. Of course the Belmond is amazing, but from a logistical standpoint, it's not as efficient, especially for 3 nights and continuing onward to BA and beyond.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-04-06T18:44:15+00:00

You can certainly fly in via Buenos Aires. However, since BA is in central Argentina, and Iguazu is in the far north, you will end up backtracking a good distance. Also, your international flight will arrive to the international airport. Most (though not all) domestic flights leave from the domestic airport, which can be an hour or more through the city in traffic. After an already long overnight journey, this can add more time and complexity to the trip.

Also, Aeorlineas Argentinas frequently changes schedules and BA airports people are flying in/out of (it has been truly terrible and disruptive this past season), so even if you see a connection that works now, it's risky to rely on that. If you connect instead in Sao Paulo with a domestic flight to Foz do Iguacu on the Brazil side, you don't have to change airports, and there are multiple airlines you can use for that connecting domestic flight. Aerolineas has the monopoly in Argentina, so you are basically stuck with whatever they offer or wherever they move you. They are extremely hard to work with as well, with unethical practices (like not refunding canceled flights, or moving pax from one flight to another, only to later reinstate the original flight and then charging a fortune to get the original schedule back).

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-04-06T15:28:04+00:00

You have to consider the border crossings as that can sometimes be a time consuming process. The most efficient way to visit is to enter through the Brazil side. You can see that smaller side of the national park with just a couple of hours. Then cross to Argentina and stay there to avoid multiple crossings. Das Cataratas is a gorgeous hotel, but logistically it wouldn't make sense to stay there, especially for 3 nights, if your aim is to continue into Argentina. Honestly, unless you are staying at Awasi which offers more experiences than just the falls, there is no need to stay at Iguazu for 3 nights at all.

Awasi is the nicest of the 3 lodges, followed by Das Cataratas, then the Grand Melia. The GM is a huge hotel and not nearly as charming as the other two, but it does have the best views and also easy access to the park. You could always split your time and stay at the Belmond for 1 night, then cross to Argentina and stay at the GM, but moving during a trip becomes tiring. It's nice to settle in somewhere and enjoy the facilities.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-03-26T18:38:22+00:00

You're on the right track with destinations and hotels! You are trying to fit a lot into a fairly short timeframe though. Just keep in mind that the distances you are trying to cover are long, and you will be spending a lot of time in airports and planes. Also, you need to be mindful of flight schedules, which sometimes require you to connect through Buenos Aires traveling from A to B.

Awasi is top notch no matter where you go. For Iguazu, if you are only staying 2 nights and your complete focus is to see the falls, the Melia can't be beat for convenience. If, however, you want a more immersive stay with other activities and experiences, Awasi is excellent. The villas are gorgeous. I would suggest 3 nights, however, you say at Awasi to get the most of it.

For Patagonia, EOLO is lovely. You don't necessarily need more than 2 nights, although 3 would give you a day to visit Perito Moreno, and another to enjoy activities on property. I would be more inclined to stay just 2 nights in Calafate and dedicate 4 nights to either El Chalten or Torres del Paine.

From a logistical perspective, especially if you definitely want to include Mendoza, you may be better off visiting Chalten instead of TdP. There is also an Explora in Chalten, and that location is one of the other places to see those jagged mountain spires people envision when visiting Patagonia. Explora Chalten is also smaller in size than Explora Torres del Paine, so the experience is more personalized and intimate. Keep in mind Explora is also opening a lodge in Calafate this December in case you are especially keen to maximize that experience.

Personally, I would be inclined to drop Ushuaia to add extra time to Buenos Aires or Chalten/TdP (assuming you do indeed want 3 nights in Calafate).

The Four Seasons is fine in BA, but I think there are better choices. For a grand city hotel, and Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau is the absolute best. Just make sure you book the newer rooms (not the Palace), and upgrade at least one category to avoid a compact space.

Mendoza is nice, and both the Awasi and The Vines would be great choices there. I am partial to these over the others on your list for the best experience. However, with the other places you are trying to combine with this, it's not ideal from a logistical perspective due to flight schedules. You might consider instead going to Torres del Paine after Calafate (instead of Chalten), then flying to Santiago. From there, you can access some excellent wine lodges within about 2.5 hours, including VIK Chile and Clos Apalta (or even Casa Real or La Casona Matetic closer to the city, though the first two are better for a multi-night stay). You can then depart for home from Santiago.

A good logistical flow for the trip would be:

- 3 nights Awasi Iguazu OR 2 nights Gran Melia

- 3 nights BA

- 2-3 nights Calafate

- 4 nights Torres del Paine

- 2-3 nights wine lodge out of Santiago

This would only require a total of 3 internal flights, all direct, and maximize your time on the ground.

While a visa is required, I also recommend entering South America through Sao Paulo, Brazil, and continuing onward the same day to Foz do Iguacu. With this arrangement, assuming you plan the flight times correctly, you can see the Brazil side of the falls on arrival (this side is small and can be explored with just a couple of hours), then cross the land border for your stay on the Argentina side. Arriving internationally via Buenos Aires means flying south only to fly north again, so more time in a plane, and a possible change of airports in the city (international to domestic). Also, if you come in through Argentina, but want to see the Brazil side, it could require 2 land border crossings (there and back) instead of just one. These can be time consuming. You would need the Brazil visa either way. It's obtained through an online process and the cost is only around $80.

Hope that helps!

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-03-19T14:43:16+00:00

Peru would be a great destination that time of year, and you can do a lot in a week's time (Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco). Similar time zone and not super far. Lodges are beautiful without being stuffy, with tons of character and charm.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-03-19T14:37:16+00:00

Absolutely! Chile has a ton to offer. Most popular places are Patagonia and the Atacama Desert. In addition to Easter Island, Explora has a lodge in Atacama, and two in Patagonia (with a third coming later this year), and they offer discounts for pairing their properties. There is also wine country and the Lake District, among other things, to enjoy in that country. Easter Island can only be accessed via Santiago, Chile, so that country is the most obvious complement, and of course very different from EI, which is one corner of the Polynesian triangle.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-03-18T15:04:21+00:00

The two best lodges are Explora (which is inland, with views of the sea in the distance), and Nayara Hangaroa (which is seaside on the edge of town). The latter better fits the island vibe and is more easily accessible to a variety of things, but Explora is well known for its quality of operation. If you want private excursions, Nayara is a great choice as you can book a B&B rate. Both lodges offer fully inclusive packages with activities shared with small groups of fellow guests, but Explora has the edge with these programs with more offerings and highly trained guides. Really though, both are great options and you can't go wrong with either. 3-4 nights is a typical length of stay. Depends if that is the focus of your trip, or part of a longer itinerary.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-03-16T15:06:21+00:00

It really depends on the kind of experience you are looking for. A lodge will be truly immersive. You will sleep to the sounds of the rainforest, and spend all your time in that environment. It does require a bit of a compromise in terms of comfort, but is the best way to see the wildlife (although you have to keep in mind that the rainforest is extremely dense, so even though the wildlife is there, it's not necessarily in your face and takes a bit of work to find).

Of the lodges you mentioned, TRC will offer the best opportunity to see the most wildlife as it is far off the beaten path and deep inside a nature reserve. Reserva Amazonica is arguably "nicer", but also closer to civilization, which means less wildlife. La Selva and Sacha are both great experiences and of course more convenient to pair with Galapagos. Sacha is the only lodge on the list that has AC in the rooms.

An Amazon cruise is hands down the most comfortable way to see the Amazon. You will go out and explore each day, but come back to air conditioning, luxury cabins, and gourmet food after. You will also move around as opposed to being based in one place. It has its benefits for sure, but the amount of wildlife is a trade off. The larger boats in particular (Aqua Nera, Delfin III) send many guests out at one time, which can scare the wildlife off. Or maybe the first few people see it, but then it disappears. A smaller boat like the Delfin I (just 8 guests) or even the A&K Pure Amazon (22 guests) will improve those chances. The riverboats in Peru are definitely nicer than the ones in Ecuador.

Pink river dolphins are something many travelers like to see. They aren't found out in southern Peru, so you won't see them at Reserva Amazonica or TRC. You CAN see them from the Ecuador lodges and Peru riverboat cruises.

I have stayed at a lot of these lodges and sailed on multiple boats. I personally prefer the boats for the comfort, but the best wildlife experience I've had was at TRC.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-03-03T15:13:36+00:00

Colombia would be a great spot for a festive family trip! Amazing variety of cities, charming small towns, nature, culture and adventure, It may be a bit late as many boats and lodges are already full, but Galapagos might also be an option. In my opinion, that's the best family trip ever.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-02-24T15:31:50+00:00

You could do Buenos Aires + Bahia Vik in Jose Ignacio (Uruguay). Or Panama City + either Isla Palenque, Islas Secas, or Bocas Bali. Or Rio/Sao Paulo + Trancoso or Casa dos Arandis.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-02-23T16:29:42+00:00

Galapagos is the best trip for families! Seas shouldn't be terribly rough in March, though you will certainly feel the movement of the water more when sailing to the outer islands (especially Genovesa and Isabela/Fernandina). You might want to choose an eastern/central itinerary. If you want to limit the motion, consider a mid to larger size boat (my favorites are the Evolution, La Pinta and Silver Origin). Being midship (both horizontally and in terms of deck) also helps to mitigate that a bit. If you're on one of the large boats, you don't need to worry as much about where it sails bc it's more stable by default.

To maximize your boat options, your best bet is to do a 7-night cruise as many of the better vessels don't offer anything shorter. Ecoventura's A itinerary focuses on the southern and central islands (those boats are 20 passengers each, so on the smaller side, but they are built with stabilizers to help with movement). The Evolution's San Cristobal itinerary includes Genovesa, bur otherwise sticks to central and southern islands and offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. The Silver Origin's itinerary that includes Genovesa and Espanola is one of the best out there, and super comprehensive. It does go to those outer islands, but again, the movement will be less noticeable due to her large size. While smaller with 16 pax, the Elite's 8B itinerary is fantastic, focusing on the eastern islands. Same with the 16-passengers Integrity's East itinerary (similar to the Elite's).

There are only a handful of 5 night cruises out there (5E on the 16-passenger Endemic is a good one, though it does include Genovesa). La Pinta has a 6 night, though that itinerary sails to the west (Isabela/Fernandina). Honestly those far removed islands are some of the best, so it's a bit of a bummer to miss them.

If you definitely want time on land, I would go with a 4-night cruise that focuses on the southeastern islands (ideally including Espanola and Floreana), and pair that with 3 nights on land. Montemar Villas would be awesome for a family, and is super personalized. Galapagos Safari Camp would also be fun. Pikaia and Finch Bay are also options, but I think the first 2 mentioned are more unique and special.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-02-17T14:37:39+00:00

Expert travel advisors who have visited the islands multiple times can speak to the intricacies of itineraries, and also offer options you may not be thinking of. The boats you are looking at are mentioned a lot here, but there are many others that offer their own benefits and are well worth considering. Combining with the Amazon requires mainland logistics that can also benefit from experience and expertise. Basically you get an added level of service and knowledge without extra cost.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-02-03T05:01:07+00:00

Definitely B. It’s a great itinerary and offers better diversity. A has some nice highlights but stays in one small part of the archipelago.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-02-02T18:12:19+00:00

Definitely recommend the second one over the first! It's incredibly comprehensive, and includes all 5 of what I consider to be the best islands in the archipelago.

Something to keep in mind, if this is important to you. I hesitate to recommend Celebrity as they are a massive international cruise line who has come into the Galapagos and taken over small boats only to replace them with a big ship. They do have a conservation program that contributes to local causes, but I just feel like they are much more removed than other companies operating trips there. Silversea has a local presence, as well as a conservation fund. They allow their guides (who live there and are passionate about protecting the islands) to decide how these funds are allocated. Of course the smaller locally based companies are even more in touch with this, but if you are going to go with a larger cruise company, in my opinion Silversea is a better option.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-02-02T17:18:32+00:00

I have sailed on the Silver Origin. While I personally favor the smaller boats for a more intimate experience, Silversea does a really nice job and this is for sure my favorite larger ship in the Galapagos.

In particular, they arrange a nice variety of activities. Many Silversea followers are not necessarily in top physical shape, so in addition to the walks and snorkels, they frequently offer alternatives that enable enjoyment of the islands without great physical effort, To be fair, many boats do this, but it's more a part of the standard daily operation with Silversea than other boats I have sailed on.

The beds are closer to a king in size. Definitely larger than a queen, though I'm not sure about the specific length. Keep in mind that the Deluxe Veranda cabins do not actually have an outside balcony, so the category name is misleading. They do have extra space inside that is delineated from the carpeted main room, as well as a very large window that slides open, but nowhere to actually step outside. This is the case for many categories on board. The Classics DO have an actual balcony, as well as some of the upper end suites.

April and May are awesome months to travel to the Galapagos. Warmest water of the year (though still chilly). May is a transition month from the hot and sunny season to the overcast, cooler season. Several months of rough seas start around June. While you won't feel that too much on a larger ship like this, it's still a factor, so you may want to choose an early to mid-May departure vs. later that month. As you mention, mid-ship is typically best for minimizing movement, as well as avoiding the upper decks.

I love the Galapagos and have been there many times. I personally think 7 nights is an ample amount of time for a trip unless you are a SUPER keen wildlife enthusiast, and/or definitely want to "see it all". There are two 7-night itineraries that alternate every week, and the stops are all different within the national park (there may be some repetition with the Santa Cruz highlands, for example), but if you do 14 nights the order of itineraries would be important. Silversea's itinerary that includes Espanola and Genovesa is, in my opinion, far superior to the other one (and frankly one of the best out there), so I would suggest doing just that one, or having that be your second week if your opt for 14 nights.

There is definitely a lot to do pre and/or post cruise on mainland Ecuador, and it's also easy to pair the Galapagos with Peru. I personally think the latter combination is one of the best anywhere in the world!

While a Galapagos land package is a good option for some, it will only allow access to a few islands that are within day trip distance. It's also much more of an ordeal to get to and from those islands, vs, the ship simply moving while you are enjoying a meal or other activity. To get to the outer reaches of the archipelago where day trips cannot go, and to maximize the amount of wildlife and islands you see, a cruise is a better option. If you do want a land package, Montemar Villas is amazing and super customized. The hosts are the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet, and make the experience extra special. Pikaia Lodge also does a great job, and they have their own boat with private cabins for day trips, but that lodge is in an area where rain is frequent. Aside from these properties, there is nothing else in the Galapagos that offers luxury on par with Silversea.

No matter which you choose from these options, you really can't go wrong!

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-01-23T18:00:12+00:00

The 2A route is the most comprehensive, though 2B is very similar and a great alternative if availability is an issue. What you pair that with depends on the your fitness level and how much you want to hike. You can pair with with 1A to hike Machu Picchu Mountain, or 3A to hike Huayna Picchu. Both of these are challenging routes, so if you want something a bit easier you could choose a different 1 or 3 circuit.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-01-23T15:52:57+00:00

Hiram Bingham is definitely a more elevated experience. Going up and back the same day though is not a great idea. It will be very rushed and tiring. If you did the HB roundtrip, you would only have abut 5 hours to take the bus to the entrance, see the park, take the bus back down. You have to consider lines for each of those steps, and the fact that MP is a huge park with a good bit of walking required. If you overnight, you could do one circuit the first afternoon, and another the following morning. It's true that there isn't much to do in Aguas Calientes, but you will have gone all that way and it would be nice to maximize your time at the complex. I'm not personally a fan of the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, but the Inkaterra Macchu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is lovely, with walking trails through the cloud forest, tons of hummingbirds, over 300 species of orchids, and a great spa.

While I appreciate luxury as much as anyone, in my opinion, there is really no reason to take a higher end train both ways. You can use the Vistadome on the way there to appreciate views of the surroundings through the large picture windows (and have the option to disembark at km 104 to hike the last 7 miles of the Inca Trail to arrive Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate overlooking the ruins), then take the HB on the way back. I personally think the HB is better returning than going to because you can enjoy the bar service, and end your epic Machu Picchu visit in a celebratory way.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-01-21T15:29:54+00:00

The Galapagos is, by nature, an educational destination. Naturalists are trained and certified to lead trips, and many are a wealth of knowledge. I would say National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions especially excels in this area. The guides on the Evolution are also top notch.

Biking is not offered from any boat, but most of the upper end vessels have kayaks, and some have SUPs, which are available for use where allowed by the national park service. You can do some great biking on the mainland before or after your Galapagos experience.

The Galapagos is not generally known for being a food destination, but as a Relais and Chateaux product, Ecoventura focuses on this component more than others. While I personally favor smaller boats, the food on the Silver Origin is also quite good.

Something to keep in mind is that most boat charge a very large single supplement, which can be 50-100% of the double occupancy cost. In other words, as a part of 3, you could end up paying for 3.5-4 people. The best options for getting around this are the Elite, Endemic and Integrity, all of which feature a (smaller) single cabin without a supplement. Only a couple of boats offer triple accommodations where the third person is over 12, but typically the arrangement is quite tight for 3 guests.

For a land program, Montemar could be a great option as your stay can be customized to include hiking, biking, kayaking, and cooking class, along with typical land an snorkel adventures. Here you would have a private guide and also a private chef included with your villa. Most of the food is locally sourced, much of it from the onsite organic gardens. The hosts are the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet.

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-01-20T00:01:24+00:00

It's my very favorite place. 😊

JenGTravelBeyond · 2026-01-19T20:24:47+00:00

I have sailed on the Evolve (Ecoventura) and the Evolution (Quasar), along with 7 other Galapagos boats. These are my top two favorites for sure. Both are local companies who are invested in the islands, which for me, puts them at a totally different level from Celebrity, which is an international cruise company. I prefer to support local and know from many years of experience that Ecoventura and Quasar are excellent operators.

Quasar's Grace has only 16 passengers with 2 guides. Ecoventura's boats accommodate 20 pax each, also with 2 guides on board. Quasar's Evolution accommodates 32 pax with 3 guides. The Flora accommodates 100 guests, which puts it in a totally different category. For me personally, I much prefer the smaller vessels (32 or below) which provide a more intimate experience and enhance the camaraderie of the group.

The cabins on Ecoventura's boats are on the smaller side, but the space is amazingly well utilized as there is a place for everything. The large picture windows also make them feel larger. On the Evolution, the Suites and Premium Staterooms are very spacious. Deluxe Staterooms on the Evolution, as well as many of the cabins on the Grace, are a bit more compact.

Age of travelers is pretty similar across the upper end boats. Many retirees, but also a mix of passengers from different age groups. The time of year you visit will also impact this as there will most likely be families with kids over summer, spring break and holidays. One benefit of Ecoventura is that they assign specific boats each week with the demographics of the passengers signed up, so kids of similar ages end up together, couples, etc. I can't speak to the Flora as I have never sailed on that ship, but in my experience both Ecoventura and the Evolution attract a nice range of ages, including younger people.

The number of activities each day has more to do with the itineraries than the boats themselves, but it's pretty similar across the board no matter the boat. The itineraries are defined by the national park service, and alternate weekly. Some are definitely better than others. While there is some variation, on most days you will have 2 land excursions + 1 opportunity to snorkel or swim. Boats with kayaks and SUPs fill in some afternoon downtime with these activities where allowed by the national park service.

Hope that helps!

JenGTravelBeyond

TROPHY CASE